Access Agreement

Last updated: 03/04/2025

Summary

This Access Agreement ("Agreement") is an agreement between you ("You", or “Your”, or “User”) and the Department of Retirement Systems ("DRS") for the use of DRS’ Online Services.

DRS provides access to Your retirement account information and related services DRS provides through the Internet (“Online Services”). These Online Services are operated by DRS and the State of Washington and provided to You without charge. When You register, access, or use these Online Services, You represent that You are an authorized user and You agree to the terms and conditions in this Agreement (including any notices, statements, or other terms incorporated in this Agreement by reference or link).

Rights and Responsibilities

When You complete Your registration, You will be granted personal, non-transferable and revocable authorization to access DRS Online Services for Your private use. DRS Online Services are available only for lawful purposes. In exchange for this access, You agree to:

Provide accurate and complete information during registration and to update Your information as necessary to keep it accurate and complete.
Use DRS’ Online Services in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
Take all steps necessary to ensure the privacy of Your user ID and password. This includes: selecting a strong and unique password, not sharing Your user ID or password with unauthorized users and changing Your password if You suspect compromised security.
Notify DRS immediately of any unauthorized use of Your user ID or password or if there is any suspicion or evidence that an unauthorized person has obtained or may obtain access to Your online account. You may notify DRS through Your online account at www.drs.wa.gov/oaa or by calling 800-547-6657.
Assume all risks and losses associated with the disclosure of or unauthorized use of Your user ID and password.

Further, You agree not to:

Interfere with or disrupt the operation of the Online Services or attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Online Services or its related systems.
Use Online Services in a way that could damage or overburden any DRS server or any network connected to any DRS server.
Use the Online Services in any manner that would interfere with anyone else’s use of the Online Services.
Introduce any code or malicious or hidden mechanisms into the Online Services that would affect the operation of the Online Services.
Access the Online Services through devices or services that are designed to provide automated and repeated access.
Obtain or attempt to obtain unauthorized access to parts of the Online Services that require a user login.
Circumvent any access-limiting or any security assessments or protections in place on the Online Services.
Probe, scan, or test the Online Services for vulnerabilities.

Data Collection and Use

By using the Online Services, You acknowledge and agree that any data DRS collects from or about You, including personal information, may be used to verify Your identity and provide the Online Services to You as contemplated by this Agreement.

DRS will collect, store, and use this data to authenticate users and prevent unauthorized access. This data is essential to ensure the security and integrity of our services.

To support this user verification process and other aspects of the Online Services, DRS may share Your personal information and other data with DRS’ third-party service providers (“Third-Party Providers”). One of these Third-Party Providers is LexisNexis Risk Solutions (“LNRS”), which provides its services to DRS for use as part of the Online Services. The data about You that DRS gathers and shares with LNRS and the manner in which LNRS processes that data are described in LNRS’ processing notices, which are available at LNRS’ processing notices . LNRS may update its processing notice from time to time.

DRS requires that its Third-Party Providers adhere to strict data protection standards and only use Your data for the specified purpose.

DRS is committed to protecting the confidentiality and integrity of Your data. For more detailed information on how DRS handles Your data, please review DRS’ Privacy Statement.

SMS/Text Message and Security Alerts

By providing Your mobile number You agree to receive text messages (SMS) from DRS related to Online Services, including those sent using an automated dialing system.

You authorize Your wireless carrier to use or disclose information about Your account and Your wireless device, if available, to DRS or our Third-Party Provider for the duration of Your business relationship, solely to help them identify You or Your wireless device and to prevent fraud. See our Privacy Statement for how DRS treats Your data.

Text messages are subject to the terms and conditions of Your mobile carrier, including security protections. Standard message and data rates may apply. If You elect to receive account access messages and security alerts via text message, DRS will periodically send text messages related to account access, account recovery or security alerts, including but not limited to username/password changes, device registration notices and one-time-passcodes for multi-factor authentication. These account-related messages will never contain links. If You receive an unexpected text message that claims to be from DRS, You agree to immediately contact DRS at www.drs.wa.gov/oaa or by calling 800-547-6657.

Multi-Factor Authentication

To enhance the security of Your account, You are required to use multi-factor authentication (MFA) when accessing the Online Services. You must provide the necessary contact information to complete MFA verification. You agree to comply with any such requirements and to follow the instructions provided to enable and use MFA. Failure to provide this information will prevent access to the Online Services.

Account Information

Your account information is displayed in real time to assist You with retirement planning. DRS relies on Your employer to correctly and accurately transmit retirement data. The online account information may be updated daily and adjusted or corrected at any time. DRS makes every reasonable effort to ensure the information is reliable and accurate, but errors can occur. DRS is not responsible for any errors or omissions related to its delivery of Online Services. If there is a discrepancy between the account information provided online and Your complete and audited account record, the complete and audited record will govern. If You find any DRS information about You that is incorrect, please contact DRS through Your online account at www.drs.wa.gov/oaa or by calling 800-547-6657.

Security

DRS takes reasonable precautions to safeguard Your data and our communications over the Internet. Information is transmitted through secured networks and encrypted to maintain confidentiality. Neither DRS nor any Third Party Provider working with DRS to provide Online Services is liable for:

The interception of data or communications.
Damages caused by the failure of communications lines or systems.
Theft by a third party who gains unauthorized access to user account information.
Occurrences beyond the control of DRS.

External Content

DRS provides links to other websites; however, DRS does not own or operate these sites and takes no responsibility for the information they provide. Acceptance of this Agreement does not imply acceptance of any separate agreements that may be required by other sites.

Termination

You can ask DRS to terminate Your Online Services at any time by contacting DRS securely through Your online account at www.drs.wa.gov/oaa, or by calling 800-547-6657. DRS reserves the right to restrict, suspend, terminate, or modify the Online Services with or without notice. DRS may also decide to deny or limit access. DRS will not be liable to You or a third party for any issues related to the termination or suspension of access.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless DRS, its employees, agents, officers, directors, consultants, and any suppliers from and against all liabilities, losses, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorney fees) and damages resulting from Your use of the Online Services, as well as Your breach of this Agreement, negligence, fraud, willful misconduct, or violation of appliable laws.

Scope of the Agreement

This Agreement is entered into between You and DRS and supersedes any prior agreements. You may not assign rights or obligations specified by this Agreement to another person and DRS may revise this Agreement at any time. The revision will be effective immediately following its posting to the DRS website at this location. Your continued access to and use of the Online Services is considered acceptance of the revision.

If any portion of the Agreement is deemed invalid or unenforceable, the remaining portions will continue to be in force. Any violation of the terms or conditions of this Agreement may result in monetary, civil, or criminal penalties and cause termination or suspension of Your access to the Online Services.

Notices for the Agreement

DRS will send Agreement updates through Your online account and/or to the account owner’s e-mail address, telephone number, or postal address as reflected in our records. The notices that DRS sends to You will be effective (and deemed delivered to You) when posted on our website, sent electronically, mailed, or otherwise made available to You. The notices that You send to DRS to confirm your acceptance of this Agreement will be effective (and deemed delivered to us) when actually received by us through Your online account at www.drs.wa.gov/oaa.

Changes to Agreement

DRS may in our sole discretion change the terms of this Agreement at any time. DRS will notify You of changes to this Agreement. By continuing to use or access the Online Services after receiving any such notice, You agree to accept and abide by the Agreement as of and from the date of each such notice.

Limitation of Liability and Disclaimers

DRS will not be liable to You for any consequential, indirect, punitive, special, or incidental damages arising out of or related to this agreement or Your use of the online services except to the extent Your waiver of such damages is prohibited by applicable law. DRS makes no warranties—either express or implied—with respect to any third-party provider’s products or services, and DRS is neither responsible nor liable for the performance of any third-party providers. DRS does not warrant that any of the Online Services will be error free or uninterrupted.

Governing Law

This Agreement will be read and interpreted exclusively according to the laws of the State of Washington, without regard to conflict-of-law rules.

Intellectual Property Rights

All content available on the Online Service, including text, graphics, audio, and the arrangement thereof—with the exception of Your personal account information—is the intellectual property of DRS and third parties, and is protected by the Copyright Act and other state, federal, and international laws.

Waiver

A failure or delay by DRS to exercise or partially exercise of any right or remedy under this Agreement shall not operate to waive, or otherwise affect that right or remedy or DRS’ ability to enforce any other term or condition of this Agreement.

Certification

By accepting this Agreement, You are stating that You have read and understand the terms and conditions and agree to be bound by them.